Today, I'm
I've been learning so much about writing while being in the process of two different WIPs. If I was a mom, I might compare it to having two kids, but I'm not sure if that's the case, as I'm definitely not a mother. However, it's what I imagine having two children to be like. Each has its own struggles as well as joys. There are things that come easy and things that come hard. I love them both and pour myself out into both of them, but in different ways.
With WIP no. 1, I really love the plot. It's going to be a trilogy and the story is just awesome. At least, I think it is. I love telling it. With WIP no. 2, I really love the characters. I love forming them, getting to know them. I just want to jump in and hang out with them.
WIP no. 2 has shown me how much the characters in WIP no. 1 are lacking dimension. And the plot in WIP no. 2 is definitely not as smooth as the plot in WIP no. 1.
Ugh.
It's frustrating, because I love the plot in WIP no. 1. But the characters...so meh. And vice-versa with WIP no. 2. Kinda annoying.
I spent a lot more time outlining with WIP no. 1 and more time with character development with WIP no. 2. I like the main idea of what is going to happen in WIP no. 2, but it needs to be fleshed out more.
I have moments with both stories where I'm like THIS STORY IS TERRIBLE AND NOT GOING TO WORK AND I'M JUST GOING TO STOP WRITING AND HIDE UNDER MY BED but then my characters keep screaming my name and practically leave a trail of oreos to a pen and paper and I start all over again. Or when I'm just so flustered and like I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THESE CHARACTERS AND THEY HATE ME AND EVERYONE HATES ME SO I'M JUST GOING TO GO BECOME A HERMIT IN THE WOODS AND NEVER TALK TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN but then my fingers start to itch to describe what is going to happen next and I dive right back into it.
We writers, who are truly writers, are stuck. We can never stop.
I love it and I hate it, but I really, really love it.
On top of all this though, my allergies are seriously killing me. I think I've used about three tissue boxes up today and it's not even 1pm. I have work training this evening...and a bunch of paper work I still have to get in. Ugh. I very much dislike having to adult, it's very unpleasant. However, to end on a positive note, thankfully I have a job. And a very supportive mother who is willing to drive all over the city to get my papers signed. Love that woman.
Be sure to tune in Wednesday for my review on BONE GAP! Have a great week.
Congratulations to John Paul!
ReplyDeleteGet better soon to you! (Eating lots of local honey has helped my girls' allergies a bit--maybe worth trying if you like honey!)
An early Happy Birthday to your mom! My mental calendar must be off--I thought her birthday was on Thursday!
And the only advice I can give you about the WIPs is keep plugging away. You do learn more with each ms, and likewise sometimes you hit something just perfectly in one that it will be hard to replicate in later ones. I guess just enjoy what's working, struggle with what isn't, and keep on swimming. ;)
Nope, I was definitely wrong and put the wrong date. I blame allergies. That is awesome advice (on writing--but on allergies too! I'll have to go dig out the honey)...I'm going to write that down!
DeleteIt sounds like you had a great weekend! Ugh about the allergies! I was outside a few hours over the weekend and now my one eye is blurry because of allergies. They're no fun. Good luck with the WIPs! Sometimes you have to keep writing to the end and then you can revise and fix the plot in WIP 2 and the characters in WIP 1.
ReplyDeleteThat validation is on point, because I was literally JUST thinking that there are some things that I won't be able to fix until the end. Thanks for visiting, Cherie!
DeleteI'm glad you had a good weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteOur books are very much our babies. We nurture them as we would a child. Or at least I do and I know a lot of writers feel the same way.
Some books are different. While I would work on fixing your characters in WIP #1, I wouldn't worry too much about the plot for WIP #2 unless you feel something is really off. Not all stories are meant to have exciting plots. Like Cherie, I also recommend that you write both of these stories out, so going back to fix things will be easier.
That is really good advice and totally makes sense! Thanks, Chrys!
DeleteAnne Marie, I have two children and have also tried to work on two novels at the same time, and I would say your analogy is spot on.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I do better sticking with one ms and finishing the rough draft, THEN going back to WIP #2. But that's just me.
Allergies are dreadful here in southeastern PA. Have you tried Flonase? It works for me.
Great advice, Joanne, and actually that's what I did--in the edit stages of WIP no. 1. Completely agree. And I will have to check Flonase out!
DeleteYou described it perfectly- it is just like raising kids. Books even have a tendency to make me gain weight and dirty up my house.
ReplyDeleteIdentifying the flaws in your story is the biggest hurdle. You have it nailed, so there is no doubt it will be fixed.
Last week was my wanna-be-a-hermit week. That comes and goes. Hope your allergies are better!
That's good to know, Elizabeth. Thank you for your kind comment!
Delete"I love it and I hate it, but I really, really love it." This! Yes! How I feel about writing too, some days. =)
ReplyDeleteRight?!
DeleteI love it and I hate it, but I really, really love it!- This is my life! It perfectly describes being a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you're working two projects at once! I have difficult time juggling things. But when you get stumped in one, you can go to the other, and vice versa.
I tagged for the 10 Favorite Screen Characters Tag. I wasn't sure if you did tags though.
Aw, thank you so much! Heading over to your blog to take a look now ;)
DeleteI love your descriptions of your WIPs. I hope that your plot comes together for wip two and that you love it as much as you do wip one.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI have those back and forth moments with my WIPs too. One moment I love it, the next it's the worst possible story in the world. I very rarely try to work on two novels at once, so I have no advice for the character/plot problem. I hope you work it out :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is not a fun problem. Thanks!! =)
DeleteI suddenly sneezed whilst reading this! Thanks for you kind words on my blog the other day. I'm just back from holiday and writing again.I love it, love it and I really love it!
ReplyDeleteKeith's Ramblings
Of course, they were all true!
DeletePerhaps there's comfort in knowing we all feel that way sometimes. Writing a novel is VERY much like a rollercoaster ride. You love your story, then you hate it, then you're sure the whole thing sucks and you should just throw it out, then you love it again...
ReplyDeleteSo, so, so TRUE! Preach it!
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